Despite appointing new editor Krissi Murison in 2009, and a relaunch in April last year, publisher IPC has been unable to prevent its ongoing decline, with circulation at the once mainstay of the music press falling by a further 16.4% year-on-year.
The declines at NME mean it could easily be eclipsed by Haymarket's classical titles Gramophone and Classic FM – both hovering just below 31,000 circulation – by next year. The two magazines, owned by Media Week's publisher, are losing readers, but at a far slower rate than the NME.
Paul Williams, managing director of IPC Inspire, was quick to praise the multimedia reach of the NME in the face of the continuing print declines: "NME has become the exemplar of a modern multi-platform media brand, serving its core audience of 16- to 24-year-olds in print, online, via social media, on TV, radio, mobile and, most recently, via apps.
"Our mission is to continue engaging with passionate music fans on multiple platforms and delivering NME's editorial voice and unique access, while offering our advertisers innovative and targeted marketing solutions."
Bauer's Empire remains the largest magazine in the sector, with a 179,064 circulation, but it also displayed sharp falls, its circulation dropping by 11.1% year on year.
Just three titles in the top 10 managed to increase readers this year – Kerrang!, Metal Hammer and BBC Music managed increases of 4.5%, 0.1% and 0.1%, respectively.
Rimi Atwal, publishing director, of Kerrang!, Q and Mojo, said: "The most influential music magazine brands in the UK have all put in market-beating performances.
"Kerrang! enters its 30th year as the world’s biggest music weekly and a multi-platform youth culture brand for all rock genres. The magazine, along with its website, Kerrang! Radio, The K! Awards, K! Tours and K! Podcasts ensures the brand remains a unique route for reaching a young dynamic audience."
Bauer's Q fell by 6.9% year on year. Atwel said Q was all about discovering new music, which "is the beating heart of a brand that has developed its trusted and influential content to huge success online".
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MediaWeek is owned by Haymarket.
| Top 10 film and music magazines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Publisher | July-Dec | Prd/prd | Yr/yr | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010 | change | change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Empire | Bauer Consumer Media | 172,639 | -3.6% | -11.1% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mojo | Bauer Consumer Media | 94,617 | 3.2% | -3.9% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Q | Bauer Consumer Media | 88,240 | -1.4% | -6.9% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Film | Future Publishing | 78,709 | 3.4% | -2.9% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Uncut | IPC Media | 72,586 | -2.0% | -3.9% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classic Rock | Future Publishing | 67,695 | -3.7% | -5.0% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kerrang! | Bauer Consumer Media | 42,967 | -2.4% | 4.5% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBC Music Magazine | BBC Worldwide | 42,834 | n/a | 0.1% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Metal Hammer | Future Publishing | 41,826 | -5.0% | 0.1% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Musical Express | IPC Media | 32,166 | -5.0% | -16.4% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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